One thing Chapter 9 shows in the that the past has the power and ability to stick with someone for years to come. To Sethe and Denver, Beloved reminds them of someone they knew and loved in the past. The past in haunting Sethe and Beloved in a weird way this chapter. Sethe admits that "the girls touch was also excatly like the baby's ghost" (116). There is something that happened in thier past that was so powerful to make Sethe and Denver beleive it is now after them in the form of a ghost.
The symbol of the Crystal earings in this chapter make me think about them in a different way. When Sethe first arrived at 124 Blue Stone Rd and showed Baby Suggs the earings Baby Suggs said, "put these on. Maybe they'll light the way" (111). Crystals are not only known for thier healing powers, but the ability to wish on them. Sethe is wearing the crystals earrings in hopes and wishes that Halle will be able to find her. Going forward a few years when Beloved comes into her life Beloved asks her where her earrrings are. Sethe stops wearing them after a little. Is this because she lost hope of Halle ever returning? Or has she just lost complete hope? A few days before Beloved found her before Paul D came back she was in a state of lonliness and it seemed as if she had just gave up on everything besides her daughter Denver.
